1. As food: Mushrooms are used as popular food in different countries of the world. It is sold fresh and dried in the market. It is rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins. Mushroom soup is a popular dish. A few species of Wester mushroom Volvariella and Straw mushroom Pleurotus are cultivated in Bangladesh. Agraricus brunnescens (A.bisporus) is widely cultivated in America and Europe. Agraricus campestris and Agraricus bisporus, widely used in food list, are of high quality and delicious.
2. Increases soil fertility: Agraricus increases soil fertility by decomposing plant and animal carcasses.
3. Making medicine: The use of fungi in making medicine is-
(i) Agraricus is used as an ideal food for diabetics as it is low in sugar and fat.
(ii) It improves the immune system of the body.
(iii) Agraricus boosts immunity of pregnant mother and baby.
(iv) Agraricus contains lovastatin, entadenine and iritadenine. It lowers cholesterol in the body and controls high blood pressure and heart disease.
(v) Magic mushroom contains psilocin and psilocybin. Psilosin and psilocybin are the main components of hallucinogens. Hallucinogens relieve the body of depression.
(vi) Prevents cancer and tumors due to its high fiber content.
4. Vitamins: Thiamin, riboflavin, vitamins C, D, K and pantothenic acid are available from fresh mushrooms.
5. Earning foreign exchange: Mushrooms are very expensive food in different countries of the world. Foreign exchange can be earned by growing and exporting mushrooms extensively.
6. Elimination of unemployment: Many people have been employed by mushroom cultivation. Mushroom industry has developed in Savar and Manikganj of Bangladesh. 780 million pounds of mushrooms are grown in the United States each year.
7. Anti-pollution: Agaricus is used to remove industrial waste, oil and pesticides from the environment.
8. Poverty alleviation: Mushroom cultivation is a labor intensive cottage industry. The men and women of the family are cultivating mushrooms together. Family poverty is eliminated. Many mushroom industries have developed in Savar and Manikganj.